Domestic Refrigeration Device Having A Storage Area And A Humidifying Device, Which Is Arranged Laterally Adjacent The Storage Area

ABSTRACT

A domestic refrigeration appliance includes an interior in which a partial volume is constructed as a separated storage area in which food can be placed, and a humidifying device with which a fluid can be introduced in the storage area independently of the rest of the interior. The humidifying device includes a tank having the fluid to be atomized and an atomizing unit which is connected to the tank for fluid conduction. The storage area has a drawer and at least the tank of the humidifying device is disposed outside of and next to the drawer without an overlap in the width direction of the domestic appliance and at the same height level as the drawer at least in some regions.

The invention relates to a domestic refrigeration device comprising an interior, in which a partial volume is designed as a separated storage area in which food can be placed, and comprising a humidifying device, by means of which a fluid can be introduced in the storage area independently of the rest of the interior. The humidifying device comprises a tank having the fluid to be atomized and comprises an atomizing tank, which is connected to the tank for fluid conduction.

Domestic refrigeration appliances that have an interior in which food can be placed, such as a refrigerator for example, are known from the prior art. This interior is usually delimited by an inner container and closed off to the front by a door. Cold air that is created by a coolant circuit is introduced into the interior. A storage area is embodied in the interior, separated therefrom, which is likewise embodied to accommodate food, wherein entry of a fine water mist is made possible here, wherein the storage quality of this fresh food is positively influenced thereby. Thus, with fresh fruit and vegetables, the product quality is maintained for an especially long period by humidification during storage. In addition an accelerated cooling of this food is realized by such a humidification by means of a water mist.

Fruit and vegetables are products that still have an active metabolism even after being harvested. Transpiration and respiration processes lead to loss of valuable constituents as well the loss of wet weight resulting from loss of humidity.

These processes can be reduced or slowed down by suitable storage conditions. The closer the storage temperature is to the freezing point of the respective product, the lower are the losses of constituents, since metabolism processes come to a halt almost completely. In addition, through an active humidification during storage, fresh food stored in the refrigerator can be cooled by atomization cooling, which also insures enhanced maintenance of the product quality.

Transpiration losses can be primarily avoided by the balance of humidity of the stored items being maintained in the storage environment. This is achieved for example by corresponding packaging or protected storage in sealed storage boxes. This is already implemented in specific vegetable trays with humidity control in refrigerators.

In addition there are systems which attempt, by atomization humidification within the vegetable drawer, by re-humidification or by active atomization of water in the vegetable drawer, to keep the air humidity content high and to keep the transpiration losses of stored fruit and vegetables low. Systems for active humidification are also known from food retailing. During the product presentation of unpacked goods there is active humidification, in order to reduce humidity losses of the product. The limits of the systems in the function of keeping products fresh in domestic refrigeration devices are in such cases always set by the underlying refrigeration system and as a function of the loading of the corresponding storage areas. Thus with so-called no-frost systems a very strong dehumidification occurs, which can possibly have an adverse effect on the storage of fruit and vegetables. On the other hand there are systems in which good functionality is only provided with high loading and thus high levels of humidity introduced.

Previous systems in household refrigeration appliances are only capable of maintaining the given product status within the said limits An improvement of the product quality in the sense of an additional protection function or in the sense of restoring freshness already lost is not possible.

Household refrigeration appliances in which such a separated storage area is embodied in an interior are known from DE 10 2009 029 139 A1 and DE 10 2009 029 141 A1.

The object of the present invention is to create a household refrigeration appliance in which a humidification device is arranged in a space-saving and yet still easily-accessible manner, without sustaining undesired restrictions of the usable volume and of the storage area here.

An inventive domestic refrigeration device has an interior, in which a partial volume is designed as a separated storage area. Food can be placed in this storage area. The domestic refrigeration device also has a humidifying device, by means of which a fluid can be introduced in the storage area independently of the rest of the interior, and the humidifying device has a tank with the fluid to be atomized. In addition the domestic refrigeration device with the humidifying device has an atomization device that is connected to the tank for fluid conduction.

An important idea behind the invention is to be seen as the storage area having a drawer and as at least the tank of the humidifying device being arranged in the width direction without any overlap outside of and acjacent the drawer, at least in some areas at the same height level as the drawer. A very compact structure is achieved by these adjacent components arranged in the width direction in a row next to one another, which despite this still makes user-friendly accessibility both to the humidifying device and also to the drawer possible. The separate movement in the depth direction of the domestic refrigeration device of both components is possible without restriction. Through this non-overlapping arrangement of the components alongside one another the usable volume of the drawer in the depth direction and in the width direction is also not adversely affected. For example an uneven floor of the drawer in some areas can be prevented by this, so that food can be introduced into the drawer into all areas and without falling over.

Preferably there is provision for the tank and the atomization unit to be arranged in the width direction without any overlap next to the drawer, at least in some areas at the same height level as the drawer. Through this arrangement almost the entire humidifying device is positioned accordingly, so that the aforementioned benefits are promoted.

Preferably there is provision for the tank to have a grip on a front side, which makes the handling of the tank easier on removal and insertion as well as basically making it easier to get hold of when manipulating it.

Preferably there is provision for a wall section of a front side to be embodied so as to be able to be gripped underneath from the rear, so that reliable and safe manipulation by a user is improved even more.

Preferably there is provision for the opening of the tank to be embodied as a type of funnel. This embodiment creates an option for filling the tank that makes possible a greater volume and thus more rapid filling, without any fluid spilling over or there being an undefined filling.

Preferably there is provision for the opening to be able to be closed off by a lid. This prevents any undesired spillage both when the tank is moved and when the domestic refrigeration device is moved.

Preferably there is provision for the humidifying device to have a housing, which in a lower section comprises at least a few components of the atomizing unit. An upper section roof is embodied in an upper section of the housing, which covers the top of an insertion compartment for the tank. Observing this housing in vertical cross-section a front-facing U shape is thus formed, wherein the insertion compartment is embodied in the free space between the arms of the U shape. Through such a design a versatile embedding of the tank in the housing is achieved. In addition, through this specific shape of the housing, accommodation of the components of the atomizer unit is also promoted and also the supply of the atomized fluid from the humidifying device to the storage area is promoted. This is because this design also enables outlet openings for the generated mist to be created relatively far up on the humidifying device, so that the supply to the storage area can take place relatively far up in respect of the vertical position and a very short connection between the humidifying device and the storage area, especially the drawer, is sufficient for this purpose.

Preferably there is provision for the upper section roof to have a mist outlet opening facing towards the drawer. The advantages previously mentioned are further enhanced by this embodiment.

Preferably there is provision for the humidifying device and a drawer of the storage area able to be moved in relation thereto to be connected by a line connection also permanently coupled during the movement of the drawer along the maximum movement path of the drawer, for introduction of mist into the drawer. Then, even when the drawer is pulled out and pushed in, the fluid coupling between the humidifying device and the drawer is maintained. This means that precisely this very important interface is not disconnected and reconnected again when the drawer is moved in the horizontal direction. This means that it remains permanently functionally secure and the supply of mist into the storage area is possible with little leakage or without any leakage.

Such a line connection can be inherently stable as regards its length, but can be achieved by a flexible line, which can thus be deformed. For example it can be provided by a hose.

However there can also be provision for the line connection to be embodied in telescopic form, so that it is also inherently variable in its length.

Preferably there is provision for the humidifying device and a drawer of the storage area able to be moved relative thereto to be connected by a coupling only coupled in the pushed-in end position of the drawer as a connection for introducing mist into the drawer. In this embodiment there is thus an automatically-effected decoupling when the drawer is pulled out from its end position, so that then no more mist can be conveyed into the drawer and the storage area. The handling of the drawer is improved by such a coupling that couples and uncouples automatically, since the complete separation of the drawer from the interior can also be undertaken in a user-friendly way, without any decoupling of a line connection carried out actively by the user.

Preferably there is provision for a lid delimiting the storage area for covering a drawer delimiting the storage area not to extend in the width direction over the humidifying device, but only for a partition wall arranged above the lid also to extend above the humidifying device. Through this embodiment a coverage of this humidifying device from above is also obtained to some degree, so that here on the one hand containers or food also be placed on top in this surface area, viewed in the width direction. Thus a larger surface area can be used here too. On the other hand, through this dimensioning of the cover, protection is also achieved for the humidifying device embodied below said cover, so that there is no direct effect from above of a force caused by food or other components on the humidifying device.

Preferably there is provision, in the depth direction of the domestic refrigeration device, for a receiving compartment for foodstuffs to be embodied behind the humidifying device separated from the storage area. Even if, viewed in the depth direction, the humidifying device is a very compact design and thus extends over a depth that is smaller than the drawer, this available free space is not used accordingly for storage of foodstuffs in the form of the receiving compartment. Preferably there is provision for this receiving compartment to be able to be closed off directly by a lid. This enables this receiving compartment to also be thermally separated from the further interior and to this end an individual option to be created for storage of specific food.

Preferably there is provision for the tank to be embodied for receiving and holding a separate container filled with the fluid. Through such an advantageous embodiment containers already filled with a specific fluid, which can then already be purchased as such, can be placed into the tank and said tank can thus be equipped therewith. Preferably there is provision for the tank also to be embodied for self-opening of this container created by introduction of the container. To this end for example a peg or the like can be provided at a specific location, in order then to open the introduced container at a specific easily-pierced separation point. Preferably there can also then be provision for such a container to be provided with different fluids or different fluid mixtures, so that in this context fluid mixtures already prepared can also be atomized. Then, with such an embodiment, the user does not have to independently take the trouble of producing such a fluid mixture and pouring it into the tank themselves.

The tank is preferably has an opening on the upper side for filling it or topping it up with fluid. This specific arrangement of the opening in terms of location makes a simple and targeted filling possible, without fluid being spilled over the tank and thus the environment of the tank being wetted unnecessarily. In addition, by arranging the opening in this location it is always achieved that the tank is already arranged in an orientation in space in which it must also be arranged and oriented accordingly on the device, so that no circumferential movements and rotations are necessary, which would then likewise cause a spillage of the fluid.

There can be provision for the tank to be movable in relation to the atomizer unit. In this connection it can be embodied so as to be able to be separated non-destructively from the atomizer unit. This enables the tank to be removed completely, whereby it can be cleaned as an individual part and in addition it can also be filled externally and at a remote location from the domestic refrigeration appliance.

There can also be provision for the tank to be arranged for removal in a straight horizontal direction. This enables the tank to be brought into the respective position by a very linear movement and through this simple movement sequence, a jolt-free and thus low-spillage embodiment to be achieved once again here.

Preferably there is provision for the tank, in an alternate embodiment, to be supported pivotably around a horizontal axis in relation to the atomizer unit. In particular with such an embodiment there is provision for the tank to remain on the humidifying device and then, through the pivoting movement, to be able to be brought into a filling position. In said position it is then oriented obliquely forward similar to a tipping box and can then be filled from above. This makes simple and spillage-free filling possible without the tank having to be separated. Through the tipping it is brought into an easily accessible exposed position as regards the possibility of filling it, without having to remove the tank. This means that there does not have to be the possible effort of coupling it back again to the housing of the humidifying device.

Preferably there is provision for the tank to be pivotable at a lower front end around an axis oriented in the width direction of the domestic refrigeration device. The advantages stated above for this version are enhanced even more by this.

Further features of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the figure description. The features and combinations of features given here in the description, as well as the features and combinations of features given below in the figure description and/or shown in the figures alone are usable not only in the combination specified in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the framework of the invention. Thus versions of the invention that are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures, but which emerge and can be created from the explained versions by separate combinations of features, are also to be viewed as included and disclosed.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in greater detail below on the basis of schematic drawings. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive domestic refrigeration device;

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a part section of the domestic refrigeration device according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective diagram of the section in FIG. 2 with the tank partly pulled out of the humidifying device;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the humidifying device;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective cutaway exploded diagram of the humidifying device according to FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of a part section of the domestic refrigeration device according to FIG. 1 with the storage area and a humidifying device, from which a tank is completely withdrawn, and

FIG. 7 shows a perspective diagram of a further exemplary embodiment of the domestic refrigeration device, in which the components with the storage area and the humidifying device are shown.

In the figures the same elements or elements with the same function are provided with the same reference characters.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective diagram of a domestic refrigeration appliance 1, which can be a refrigerator or a freezer or a refrigerator/freezer.

The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 comprises a housing 2, which surrounds an inner container 3. With its walls, the inner container 3 delimits an interior space 4, which is designed to accommodate food. In addition the same inner container 3 or another inner container delimits a further interior space 5, into which food can likewise be placed.

The interior spaces 4 and 5 can each be closed off by separate doors 6 and 7 on the front side.

The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 also includes a refrigerant circuit, by means of which the corresponding temperature control is able to be created in the interiors 4 and 5. To this end the refrigerant circuit especially includes an evaporator, a vaporizer and a compressor and corresponding connection lines, in which a refrigerant circulates.

In the exemplary embodiment a separate storage area 8 is embodied in the interior 4. The storage area is formed by a drawer 9 able to be pushed in the depth direction and thus in the z-direction and a lid 10 covering the drawer 9 from above.

The refrigerant circuit already mentioned is embodied such that an ambient humidity that differs from that of the rest of the partial volume of the interior 4 is able to be set in the storage area 8. Preferably the storage area 8 can be a compartment in this context, in which especially temperatures between 0° C. and 4° C. are set. The temperatures in the rest of the interior 4 are preferably slightly higher or can be set higher by the user.

For corresponding defined setting of the ambient humidity in the storage area 8 a humidifying device 11 is provided. This is arranged, viewed in the width direction and thus in the x-direction of the domestic refrigeration appliance 1, acjacent the drawer 9 without any overlap and in addition, in the vertical direction and thus in the y-direction, at least in some areas, especially over its entire height, is positioned at the same height level as the drawer 9. The humidifying device 11, like the drawer 9, is accessible from the front side when the door 6 is open.

The lid 10 extends in the width direction not only over the drawer 9, but also over the humidifying device 11, so that this is likewise covered from above by the lid 10. As can also be seen, an arrangement of further containers, especially in the form of drawers 12 and 13, is provided above the lid 10.

An enlarged diagram of a view of the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 in the area of the humidifying device 11 and the storage area 8 is shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the humidifying device 11 extends over approximately the same height as the drawer 9.

The humidifying device 11 is embodied with a rectangular front and is designed in the shape of a cube in its overall three-dimensional design.

The humidifying device 11 is embodied to bring sufficient humidity into the storage area 8. To this end a blower, which is present in any event, can include a fan. As can also be seen from the view in FIG. 2, a separating plate 14 is arranged above the lid 10, on which the drawers 12 and 13 are arranged movably.

A perspective view of the part shown in the diagram in FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3. By contrast with the diagram shown in FIG. 3, a tank 15 of the atomizer unit 11 is partly pulled out. The humidifying device 11, in addition to the tank 15, includes a housing 16, which has a lower section 17 and an upper section 18 (FIG. 4) with an upper section roof 19. Arranged in the lower section 17 are at least a few components of an atomizer unit 20 (FIG. 5). An insertion compartment 21 for the tank 15 is formed by the U-shape of the housing 16 open to the front.

The tank 15 can be pulled out from the housing 16 and thus from the insertion compartment 21 in the horizontal depth direction and thus in the z-direction. With the form of embodiment shown here the tank 15 can be fully separated from the housing 16. It can thus be filled outside the appliance, for example at a water faucet.

In addition the tank 15 has a grip 23 on the front side 22. Here a section of wall 24 (FIG. 5) is able to be gripped underneath from the rear by a recessed grip 25.

The housing 16 is arranged mechanically coupled in the interior space 4 and is especially fastened there in a fixed location. The tank 15 is especially guided and also held via guides not shown in the diagram in the insertion compartment 21.

Embodied in the upper section roof 19, on a side facing towards the drawer 9, is a mist outlet opening 26, from which the mist created from the fluid, especially from the water, which is contained in the tank 15 and is atomized by the atomizer unit 20, comes out into the storage area 8. For conduction into the drawer 9 a fluid coupling is provided between the outlet opening 26 and an inlet opening, especially on the drawer 9. This can be embodied such that a permanent connection, especially a fluid connection realized by a line connection, is embodied. Therefore this fluid-conducting connection can be maintained even with a movement of the drawer 9 relative to the housing 16.

There can however also be provision for the humidifying device 11 and a drawer 9 of the storage area 8 able to be moved relative thereto to have a connection for introducing mist into the drawer 9 only coupled by a coupling in the inserted end position of the drawer 9.

An anchoring peg 30 is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 for example, with which in particular the housing 16 is able to be fastened mechanically on the floor side.

In FIG. 6 a further exemplary embodiment is shown in a perspective view, in which a tank 15 is likewise embodied as fully separable from the housing 16. The tank 15, as is also preferably the case with the tank that has been previously explained, has an opening 27 on the upper side, via which it is possible to fill the tank 15 with a fluid, especially water.

A further exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 7, in which likewise only the storage area 8 of the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 is shown in a perspective view. With this embodiment the tank 15 is not fully separable from the housing 16, but is arranged pivotably thereon. With this embodiment a bearing is thus provided on a front lower end 15 a of the tank 15, through which an axis A is defined, which extends in the width direction and thus in the x-direction. The tank 15 can thus be pivoted around such a horizontal axis, wherein in FIG. 7 the state of the tank 15 pivoted outwards and thus hinged forwards is shown. Here too the tank can be filled via the opening 27 and when the filling of the tank 15 is completed, it can then be pivoted back into its end position.

In addition there is provision with this version that a further receiving compartment 28 is embodied in the depth direction and thus in the z-direction behind the humidifying device, which is able to be closed off from above by a lid 29, which is shown in the removed state in FIG. 7. This receiving compartment 28 is embodied for receiving further food and extends in the width direction to a maximum over the width of the free space that remains between the drawer 9 and a lateral wall of the inner container. The drawer 9 is also not restricted in the width direction thereby, so that here too the usable volume is not restricted. In addition however, by this additional receiving compartment 28, the entire volume space of the inner compartment in the area of the storage area 18 and the humidifying device 11 is equipped and utilized to the maximum.

Preferably an opening 27 of the tank 15 is embodied in the shape of a funnel, so that it can be filled with respect to putting a largest possible quantity into it in a shortest possible time without undesired spillage.

This receiving compartment 28 can also be embodied in other versions.

In a further version there can be provision for the tank 15 to be embodied for receiving a container separate therefrom, wherein the fluid to be atomized is then contained in the container. Such a container can then already be obtained as such completely filled as a cartridge and inserted into the tank 15 accordingly. Corresponding filling with the fluid is then no longer necessary, so that on the one hand overflowing or insanitary filling is prevented. In addition, with such a cartridge, a specific mixture of a fluid can already be available ready-mixed, so that here too a user no longer has to undertake such mixing themselves. There can be provision in such cases for an element, especially a dome or the like, to be present in the tank 15, which causes an automatic opening of a container on introduction into the tank 15. Once the cartridge is empty it can be removed and recycled and a further new cartridge can then be inserted.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

-   1 Domestic refrigeration appliance -   2 Housing -   3 Inner container -   4 Interior -   5 Interior -   6 Door -   7 Door -   8 Storage area -   9 Drawer -   10 Lid -   11 Humidifying device -   12 Drawer -   13 Drawer -   14 Separating plate -   15 Tank -   15 a Lower end -   16 Housing -   17 Lower section -   18 Upper section -   19 Upper section roof -   20 Atomizer unit -   21 Insertion compartment -   22 Front side -   23 Grip -   24 Wall section -   25 Recessed grip -   26 Mist outlet opening -   27 Opening -   28 Receiving compartment -   29 Lid -   30 Anchoring peg -   A Axis 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: a width direction of the domestic refrigeration appliance; an interior of the domestic refrigeration appliance for receiving food, said interior having a partial volume provided as a separated storage area in which food can be placed, said interior having a remaining volume, and said storage area having a drawer with a height level; and a humidifying device for introducing a fluid in said storage area independently of said remaining volume of said interior, said humidifying device having a tank for the fluid to be atomized and an atomizing unit connected to said tank for fluid conduction; at least said tank being disposed adjacent said drawer without any outside overlap in said width direction and at said height level of said drawer at least in some areas.
 15. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said tank and said atomizing unit are disposed adjacent said drawer without any overlap in said width direction and at said height level of said drawer at least in some areas.
 16. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said tank has a front side with a grip configured to be gripped underneath from the rear as a recessed grip.
 17. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 16, wherein said grip is a wall section.
 18. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said tank has an upper side with a funnel-shaped opening formed therein for filling said tank with the fluid.
 19. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 18, which further comprises a lid for closing said opening.
 20. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said humidifying device has a housing, said housing has a lower section in which at least a plurality of components of said atomizing unit are disposed, and said housing has an upper section with an insertion compartment for said tank and an upper section roof covering said insertion compartment from above.
 21. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 20, wherein said upper section roof has a mist outlet opening formed therein facing towards said drawer.
 22. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said drawer is movable relative to said storage area along a maximum movement path, and said humidifying device and said drawer are interconnected by a line connection being permanently coupled even upon a movement of said drawer along said maximum movement path for introducing a mist into said drawer.
 23. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said drawer is movable relative to said storage area, and said humidifying device and said drawer are interconnected by a coupling only being coupled in a pushed-in end position of said drawer as a connection for introducing a mist into said drawer.
 24. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said drawer delimits said storage area, and a lid delimits said storage area and covers said drawer but does not extend over said humidifying device in said width direction.
 25. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, which further comprises a receiving compartment for food being separated from said storage area and disposed behind said humidifying device in a depth direction of the domestic refrigeration appliance.
 26. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 25, which further comprises a lid for closing off said receiving compartment.
 27. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 14, wherein said tank is configured to receive and hold a separate container filled with the fluid.
 28. The domestic refrigeration appliance according to claim 27, wherein said tank is configured to open said separate container upon insertion into said tank. 